Electromagnetic regulating or controlling means for valves or the like.



T. J. & E. RORKE. ELECTROMAGNETIC REGULATING OR GONTROLLING MEANS FORVALVES OR THE LIKE.

APPLIOATION FILED DEC. 6, 1910.

Patented Mar. 18, 1913'.

2 SEEETSSHEET l.

T. J. &E. RORKE ELECTROMAGNETIC REGULATING OR CONTROLLING MEANS FORVALVES OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 6, 1910.

Patented Mar. 18, 1913 2 SEEETS-8HEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT orrioa.

THOMAS JOSEPH RORLKE AND EDWIN RORKE, F BARNES, ENGLAND, ASSIGNORS 0FONE-THIRD TO IEIAERY STANLEY BENSON, OF BARNES, ENGLAND.

ELECTROMAGNETIC REGULATING 0B, CONTROLLING MEANS FOR, VALVES OR THELIKE.

a 1 To all whom it may concern:

Be it known .that we, THOMAS JOSEPH Roman and ED\VIN RoRKE, both subects of the King of Great Britain, residing at Thames Bank ElectricalWorks, Barnes, in the county of Surrey, England, have in- .ventedcertainnew and useful Improvements in Electromagnetic Regulating orControlling' Means for Valves or the Like, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention consists of certain improvements in or relating tosystems for controllingor regulating the flow of gases or fluids byelectro-magnetically operated valves or other obturating devices, an obect being to obtain a more perfect regulation of the heating effect orcontrol of the flow of gas or fiuid in any system by employing asensitive form of thermostat with the afore said electro-magneticallyoperated valves or obturating devices. t

Heretoi'ore the valves or similar devices have required considerablepower vto effect their operation and it has been customary to Q employthermostats which are adapted to carry or take heavy currents and whichare insensitive -to small variations in temperature. as,.for example,the well known form ofthermostat which comprises a compound "bar orstrip composed of metals having different co-eflicient-s of expansion.In order to permit of the employment of a highly sensitive form ofthermostat with the electro-magnet-ically operated valve orobturating'device it is necessary however to arrange electro-magnets orsolenoids adapted to act on suitable armatures or cores and therebytransmit movement so as to operate cutting ofi' or controlling meanssuch as valves or other obturating devices, the arrangement being suchthat the circuit for the current which energizes the electro-magnet orsolenoid actuating the controlling means is established at thethermostat and is auto- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 18,1913.

Application filed December 6, 1910. Serial No. 595,936.

- matically broken at the apparatus when the desired movement has beenimparted to the valve or the like. The same result may be attained byproviding an intermediate switch which would serve as a relay and permit of the thermostat being worked with a weak current.

In order that the said invention may be cl-early'understood and readilycarried into eiiect, we will proceed to describe the same with referenceto the accompanying drawings which illustrate as an example of the useof the invention the application thereof to a system of heating by hotwater. It will, however, be readily understood that the system isequally applicable for use in the regulation or control of the flow ofsteam or other gaseous fluid.

Figure l is a side elevation of the controlling or regulating apparatuspertaining to the system. Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken along theline 22 in Fig. 1. h Fig. 3 is an end view of a part of the apparatus.Fig. 4

is a detail view of the mercury cups and the extensions for making andbreaking electrical contact. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the intermediateswitch. Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view showing the'invention applied taasystem of heating by hot water or steam. Fig. 7 is an elevation of thethermostat and intermediate switch. Fig. 8 is a detail view of thecircuit controlling mechanism of the intermediate switch.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings, the apparatus comprises twosolenoids a', a which are adapted to act on two cores a a connectedtogether by any suitable means such as a chain a or the like. Theflexible connection or chain a may-be arranged to pass over a sector 6or pulley operatively connected with a valve or obturating device I)placed in the hot water pipe range 6 The lower extremities of theelectro-magnets or solenoids are provided with r' nercury cups 71 6 intowhich extensions 6 b on the cores are adapted to enter-and makeelectrical contact. These extensions '6 b may comprise nickel pinssecured to the cores (1?, a and having suitable nuts or stops b, 6arranged thereon so as to regulate the degree of movement of the cores.To efi'ect this object the pins 6 b may pass through, apertures 0, 0,formed in the base 0' of .theelectro-magnets or solenoids a, a, themovement of the pins-being restricted owing to the stops thereonengaging with the base, By this means the cores if, a are preventedtromleaving the electro-magnets or solenoids when the apparatus is displacedor inverted. In order further to provide against the mercury leakingaway past the nuts I) washers b b of india rubber, leather or otherinsulating and yielding material'may be applied so that when the coresare withdrawn and secured. tem'porarily by set-screws indicated at Z) 6the said washers make a tight joint with the base 0 and eflt'e'ctuallyprevent the inercury finding'an exit through the apertures c c and thehollows of the cores a a and magnets a a. The two cores are of equalweight and the chain a or the like connecting the same is secured to theaforesaid sector b so as to actuate the same when the one or the otherof the electro-magnets or solenoids (z, a is energized. For the purposeof enabling the contact to remain unbroken until the core of theactuating solenoid has completed its movement and to avoid jar or shock,the extensions are each furnished with a hollow container 1) b5,composed of steel, nickel. or other suitable metal or material andhaving a conical or taper extremitv 71 formed with a small aperture I).

The container is attached-to the extension by means of an insulatingbush I) which is secured to the extension by means of nuts or washers b;the aforesaid india rubber washers if Zi being applied above the saidfitting. By these means the contact is tailed ott' or extended. as.during immersion, the mercury enters and rises in the container b andwhen the cores are raised the mercury leaves the container slowly by wayof the aperture 1 thereby prolonging or timing the contact. The sectoror pulley may be mounted on a spindle c which passes through the casing0* of a valve 0 arranged in the pipe range, said spindle carrying at itsother extremity the valve body or slide. This latter may resemble anordinary sluice valve and may have parallel faces or be wedge-shaped.lVhen the sector I) is actuated by the electro-magnets or solenoids a, athe valve (.1 is moved toward or away from its seating according towhich of said electromagnets is energized. In order to permit of theadjustment of the degree of opening or closing of the valve. theconnection or chain a is arranged 011 the. sector Z) in such a manner asto allow of relative movement between these parts. said movementdependingupon the position the valve 0 is to assume. This adjustableconnection between the sector 6 and core chain (1- is effected by meansof a projection Z on the chain which is arranged bet-ween two series ofpins or stops (Z, (Z mounted on the sector. For normal working-comp'leteshutting and opening of the valve-the projection 03 on the chain isarranged between the pins or stops d, d so as to be securely heldthereby, but when the degree of opening or closing of the valve is to bevaried the space between the two series of pins or stops may beincreased. By this arrangement the chain will effect a predeterminednrovement before it engages with the pins or stops cl, (l and actuatesthe sector b over which it passes. The periphery of the sector isprovided with a series of holes which correspond to the various degreesof opening or closing of the valve 0 and the pins on the sector may bereadily placed in the said holes and the valve set as desired.

In order that the setting may be readily efieeted and observed thecasing of the apparatus maybe provided with an indicator,

not shown, which is set to correspond with the position of the pins onthe sector or pulley, the attendant will thus be able to see at a glancehow the valve is set for working.

Any other method of connecting the chain to the sector or pulley may beemployed so long as it is possible to obtain the desired adjustability.

The current for actuating the apparatus is provided with twopaths-through the respective electro-magnets or solenoids a, a; thecurrent from the battery or other source may flowfor example through thepiping b of the installation. lead (i through the core or armature a."of the electro-magnet a which was last energized through the extensionor pin 7) secured to said core into the mercury in the container b andthe cup 1) into which said pin enters and from thence by way of the leadat to the winding of the other electro-magnet a. and back to thebattery. This latter electro-magnet will be energized and its core orarmature a will be drawn down. the core a of the other electro-magnet,which is secured thereto, is simultaneously raised and the pin orprojection I) thereon will break contact with its corresponding mercurycup I) and cut oil the flow of current. The core of the magnet 11 whichis thus energized is drawn down so that the pin or projection b thereondips into the corresponding mercury cup I), and renders the circuit ofthe other electro-mag net in, condition for current to flow when thethermostat pertaining to the system is operated to connect the batteryor other source of current with the aforesaid circuit. The circuits forboth of the electro-magnets are the same and are so arranged that thepin or projection on the core of the one electro-magnet breaks thecircuit of the other electro-magnet when this latter is en ergized andits core or armature is attracted.

Any suitable type of valve may be employed in connection with theapparatus and it may have anangular or rectilinear movement to or fromits seating.

of the maximum and minimum thermometer type Figs. 5 to 7, in which afluid or gas ofhigh coeflicient of expansion is sealed in a bulb orcylinder (1 open at oneend to a U-tube 03 containing mercury. Above themercury (Z in the two limbs of the U tube platinum contacts (i (Z? aresealed, a third common contact d being provided at the bottom o f thetube. The action is such that an expansion or contraction of the fluidor gas'in the sensitive bulb d due to an alteration of the externaltemperature moves the mercury from one contact to the other, alternatelymaking and breaking a maximum and minimum contact. In order to obtaingreat sensitiveness without using an excessively long U tube the bore ofthe tube may be restricted at the contacts -in such a manner that themovement. of the mercury for changes in temperature is considerablyincreased. The contacts (Z d in-the respective limbs thereof may beconnected to the corresponding electro-magnets of the appa- 80- ratusand the'central. or mid cont-act connected to the battery or othersource of cur rent. It is, however, advantageous to employ anintermediate switch f between the thermometer and the apparatus and suchswitchmay be arranged as a change over switch and having contacts andmercury pets at each end of its rocking member.

The intermediate switch is provided with electro-magnets f, P which areenergized to operate the rocking member or armature This latter membercomprises a tube (2-1 the like containing a mass of mercury or otherconducting fluid which is adapted to make electrical connection betweenthe outer contacts F, f and the pivot f, the arrangement being such thatthe circuit of the electro-magnet which is established by the thermostatis broken immediately when the rocking member F- is moved to thedesiredposition, at the same time the mercury in the rocking memberrenders the circuit of the other electro-magnet in condition for thenext operation of the switch. When this intermediate switch f isemployed it may be compactly arranged with the thermometer or thermostatg in a suitable casing g, and this latter maybe readily moved to anypart of .the installation as desired. The contacts (i d: in the limbs ofthe thermome; ter 9 are connected to the windings ofthe respectiveelectro-magnets f, f of the switch f and the actuation of the rockingmember f of the switch causes the mercury or other electric conductingfluid f to travel form one end to the other of the rocking member ortube and in so doing break the circuit of the electro-magnet that iscausing the switch to rock. The rocking member of the switch is providedwith a contact 9 at each of its ends, said contacts being adapted toenter mercury cups 9 arranged in proximity thereto. The contacts 9 (Fig.6) are electrically connected to the rocking member f of the switchwhich is connected to the negative pole of the battery 7" or othersource of current, while the mercury cups 9 are connected to therespective electromagnets or solenoids a, a ofthe main apy paratuscontrolling the valve or other obturating member 0 pertaining to thesystem. Current is only taken from one or twoof the cells of the battery1 to actuate the intermediate switch f and the current passing throughthe conducting fluid d of the thermometer g is thereby kept low. Thecurrent from the whole battery is however passed .throughthe mainapparatus as the energy required to operate the same will bemuch greaterthan that required to operate the intermediate switch.

lVhen the temperature varies, the thermometer will connect one or otherof the contacts (i cl in its limbs with the mid contact 03. thereof, andcurrent will flow from.

the battery to actuate the intermediate switch f. Assuming the left handcontact 9 to make contact with the mercury in the corresponding cup 9.the circuit of theelectromagnet a, pertaining to the controlling meansis closed at the said mercury cup into' which the contact-on the rockingmember of the switch is immersed during the aforesaid movement. Currentwill then fiow from the battery f through the pipework b of theinstallation, through the lead a? (Fig. 2) core a pin b, mercury cuplb",lead. (1* (Fig. 1), electromagnet a. lead f left hand contact 9 of theintermediate switch, rocking member i and through the lead f back to thebattery. The apparatus will thus be operated to close the valve 0 andthe valve will remain in this position until the correct temperatureisattainedf When thecircuits are arranged the .manner"described, thecircult pertammg to the main apparatus will always be'broken atone ofthe mercury pots 6 6 thereof, so that no sparking will take place at theintermediate switch j, which being of lighter and more delicateconstruc-' tion would be harmfully affected by such sparking.

What we claim and desire to secure by rent, a mechanical obturatingdevice, plungers connected to said device, solenoids for actuating saidplungers, means for connect- I ing the said solenoids with the source ofcurrent, hollow members carried by said plungers and mercury potsserving in con- JHIlCtlOIi with said hollow members for controlling thecircuits of the solenoids.

9'. In a system for automatically control cury pots serving inCOIlJllIlOtiOll with saidhollow members for controlling the circuits ofthe solenoids after the termination of the movement of the plungers.

In asystem for, automatically controlling' or regulating the flow ofgases or fluids,

r the combination of a source of electric current, an obturatmg device,a spindle carrymg said device, a pulley on said spindle, a flexiblemember passing over and ad ust-ably secured to said pulley, plungers ateach end of said flexible member, solenoids for actuating saidplunger-s, means for connecting the said solenoids with the source vofcurrent, hollow members carried by said plungers, and mercury potsserving in conjunction with said hollow members for controllingthe'circuits of the solenoids after the termination of the movement ofthe plunger's.

4. In asystem for automatically controlling or regulating the flow ofgases or fluids, the combination of a source of electric current, anobturating devicefplu-ngers connecting'with said device, solenoids foractuating said plunger-s, means for connecting the said solenoids withthe source of current, a hollow container carried by each of saidplungers, a restricted passage in each of saidcontainers and mercurypots which serve in conjunction with said containers to control or timethe circuits of the said solenoids.

5. In a system for automatically control- 1mg or regulating the flow ofgases or fluids the combination of a source of electric cur- ,rent, avalve, a spindle carrying said valve,

elect-roma'gnets with the source of current.

6. In a system for automatically controlling or regulating the flow ofgases or fluids, the combination of a source of electric current, a'valve, a spindlecarrying said valve, a sector on said spindle,a'flexible member passing over and adjustably connected to said sector,armatures arranged at each end.

of saidflexible member, project-ions carried by said armatures, mercurycups into which said projections are adapted to enter, elect-romagnetsfor actuating said armatures, and means for connecting theelectromagnets with the source of current.

7. In a system for automatically controlling or regulating the flow ofgases or fluids. the combination of sourceof electric current. a valve,electromagnets, armatures for said electromagnets, gearing for impartingthe movements of: the armatures to the valve. means for connecting the,electromagnets with the source of current, hollow members carried bysaid armatures, and mercury pots which serve in conjunction with saidhollow members for controlling the circuits of the elec'tromagnets afterthe termination of the movement of' the armatures.

In testimony whereof we afiix our signatures in presence of twowitnesses.

THOMAS J OSEPH RORKE. EDIYIN RQRKE.

Vitnesses:

IVALTER J. SKERTEN,

T. SELBY IVARDLE.

